SCHOOL COMMITTEES ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 169, 11 April 1919, Page 11

SCHOOL COMMITTEES ASSOCIATION

ANJiUAL REPOItT. "It is with pleasure (says the annual report of the School Committees' Association) that \ye record the fact that the list shows un increase of lour committees oil our last report. At the same time we look forward to a yet larger number linking lip in the near future. Considering . the tact that tho association 'was only lorined on July 31, 1916, we think that jt will bo admitted that progress has been made. Our .monthly meetings havo been well attended, end many matters of considerable importance have received attention. Among the subjects that have ix'cii dealt with, mention should be made ot the following;— Fire-escapes to twostoried part of schools; .swimming lessons; more attontion has been given to ensure greater safety to tho children. . wo are pleased to note that the teachers have fallen in with our aims, and nave asked tho chief inspector to agree to one 6et of books cnly and not allow a wide selection. Education Board Dieciion.—Action "' as 'j l -; 011 the association so that it should have a direct voice on tho board, unci we note with pleasure tlint three members arc the direct representatives watching the interests of tho schools. . "All arrangements had been completed for a Dominion conferenco of school committees' associations, to be held during November last, but owing to tho epidemic this had to be cancelled. Arrangements are now in hand lb hold the conference early in July, and the executive trusts that every effort will be put forward 1:o make it a Tery successful function. The need of a thorough understanding among all committees is apparent' to all concerned, and the old saying that 'union is strength' was nevor more apparent than it is vo-day, when wo find that individual committees cannot get any satisfaction from Parliament, but that the wishes of associations are treated in a proper way. A very large number of subjects havo been .suggested by various associations, but mention need only bo made of a few such as free school books and requisites, standardisation of books, modernisation of school buildings end furniture, increased capitation, _ maximum number in classes, extension of cpon-air classes, larger playground, free medical and dental treatment, better remuneration of teachers, appointment of teachers, etc. "We again tender to tho City Council and its officers our hearty thanks for the splendid selections of books placed at the use of our children, and to those committees who have not yet tried tho scheme we adviso their early application to the City Council as wo are satisfied that, onco tried, it will not readily be dispensed with." The following .resolutions will ho submitted to the annual meetings of householders "That in tho opinion of. this meeting the time has arrived when the educational grant should bo increased to .£3,000,000." "That tho 6tatus of the teaching profession should bo - raised, and salaries pq.id in keeping with the work." "That greater inducements should he given to young people to take up the profession of a teacher."